In the heart of Leeuwarden, the circular community hub Bouwurk showcases a striking example of sustainable design: Sea Silt Ceramics. These ceramic wall tiles, made from dredged Wadden Sea silt, demonstrate how waste materials can become valuable facade elements. The project is particularly relevant for architects, interior designers, and facade specialists exploring biobased and circular alternatives.

From Silt Waste to Building Material

The Ems-Dollard estuary, straddling the Dutch-German border, faces a growing problem. Each year, seven million tonnes of silt must be removed to protect biodiversity. At the same time, the Dutch ceramics industry imports two million tonnes of clay, a non-renewable material. In 2019, design studio Humade recognised an opportunity: replace imported clay with locally sourced silt.

The transformation from waste to ceramic involved years of research. As circular chain developer, Humade coordinated each step—from desalination to shaping and firing. In 2022, the project gained momentum during a residency at Koninklijke Tichelaar, a renowned Dutch ceramics manufacturer. By 2024, a consortium had formed, including Humade, Groningen Seaports, Tichelaar, and research institute Deltares. Together, they managed the entire process from raw silt to finished tile.

Scaling Up for Industrial Use

The team now aims to scale the production process. According to Jan Kok, CCO at Koninklijke Tichelaar, every detail must be perfected for industrial output—drying, shaping, and consistency. Their goal is clear: make silt ceramics a standard material for the wider ceramics sector, not a niche product.

Sea Silt Ceramics tiles currently cover the facade of Bouwurk’s shopfront. This highly visible application proves the material’s durability and design potential in real-world architecture. For the consortium, Bouwurk serves as a platform to show both industry and public what is possible when innovation meets circular thinking.

Looking Ahead: Ceramic Facade Panels

Next, the team plans to develop larger facade panels. This ambition matches the construction sector’s shift toward climate adaptation, resource efficiency, and sustainable housing. Using dredged silt reduces dependency on imported clay and offers a circular use for an existing waste stream.

As co-founder Lotte Dekker points out, meaningful change requires action. Innovation doesn’t wait—it depends on taking initiative, working together, and constantly moving between small-scale testing and industrial application. Sea Silt Ceramics proves that with vision and collaboration, new material solutions are within reach.

Source: Duurzaam Ondernemen
Photo: Lucas Kemper